Drive-throughs may soon be permitted in Northport Village highway business district
At the May 18 Northport Village meeting, the board held public hearings for three local law amendments involving drive-through facilities in the “highway business district,” or what we all know as 25A. Until now, drive-through establishments have not been allowed within the Village, on 25A or otherwise.
There are, however, drive-throughs permitted on the south side of Fort Salonga Road, as that section is considered part of the Town of Huntington. McDonald’s is perhaps the most popular drive-through spot in the Northport area and a Dunkin Donuts drive-through is set to open on the corner of 25A and Vernon Valley Road.
The law amendment discussed at the Village meeting allows for drive-through businesses in “limited locations.” The permitted locations are within Village property, and run along the north side of 25A from the intersections of Waterside Road, down to Woodbine Avenue. Only parcels of land that are not adjoined to any residential properties would be eligible for a special drive-through permit.
Here’s an easy breakdown of the updated local law regarding drive-throughs:
Drive-through facilities must obtain a special permit, which will only be granted for properties that are fronting 25A and have a parcel of land in excess of one half acre.
Properties cannot adjoin any residentially zoned or used property.
To get a special permit for drive-through facilities, a traffic impact study must be provided, including accident data for all roads and streets where an access connection will be located.
Drive-throughs can have only one stacking lane, unless the applicant can demonstrate a need for a second lane to facilitate traffic flow. No more than two stacking lanes shall be permitted.
Stacking lanes and transaction windows cannot adjoin residential properties.
Stacking lanes must be at least 12 feet in width, with the minimum number of stacked vehicles set at eight at one drive-in lane, and five additional vehicles for each additional drive-in lane.
The stacking lanes must be separate from and not interfere with parking stalls, parking and driveway aisles, and loading spaces.
Each car in a stacking lane must have no less than 9x20 feet of space, allowing for practical turning radii for stacked cars.
The stacking lanes cannot cause any hazard or congestion to occur on a public street, or restrict ingress, egress or parking.
During Tuesday’s public hearing, there was some concern about drive-through lanes getting backed up and creating buildup on the road. Edward Gathman, the planning board attorney, explained that each potential business will have to submit a site plan and the planning board will then have authority to modify stacking lane and vehicle numbers if the site requires it.
These code amendments are simply setting the requirements for potential applicants, explained Mr. Gathman. “We don’t have a formal application yet, but there is interest,” he said. The interest is directed at the former Complete Auto Repair, located on 25A just east of Laurel Road, which has been in complete disrepair for many years.
During the public hearing, Joe Sabia, owner of Sabia’s Car Care on Fort Salonga Road, said, “Mayor, I compliment the board and yourself for doing this. It’s a long time coming and I think it’s a very good thing for businesses and for the Village.” He added, “It will finally get rid of that eyesore on 25A and it might become a nice building. The building can be useful instead of just collecting dust.”
Before the new law officially goes into effect, the Village board must await a local determination letter from Suffolk County for approval. The board will then vote on modifying the three sections of code at a June Village meeting.
